East Coast Black Age of Comics Con ‘08!

This workshop is Photoshop-based and focuses on the color selection process for coloring a sequential page. Mshindo teaches you step-by-step instruction on using some of the latest software to color your comics.

Mshindo Kuumba I. is mostly well known for his enduring attention to detail and the “Afro-centric” look to his work. “Africa being so instrumental in civilizing the world, I found it peculiar that a strong positive image of Africans is largely absent from contemporary media. Since my youth I wanted to build a career addressing this discrepancy,” says Mshindo.

Born in 1964, Mshindo is largely a self developed talent moved through his early years developing each aspect of his art one skill at a time. “I was fascinated by art that looked realistic and photo realism.” Studying one aspect of the process at a time allowed Mshindo to develop strong foundation skills that would become the hallmark of “The Mshindo I. look”. Moving from pencil techniques to ink, color pencil and airbrush in that fashion allowed for lengthy study with each technique. Some of the early influences were; his Father, older brother, Mike Bonum (the after school teacher who he did his first painting with), Frank Frazetta, Amsel, Keith Pollard, Neal Adams and many others whose names were not known… just the fantastic lessons in their work.

After high school and a three year infantry medic stint, Mshindo ventured out into the world as a freelance artist selling t-shirts at a flea market while living in Oahu, HI. It is here he met a Rastafarian named Bongo I Fareed, who would change his entire life! He was the true African influence that not only taught Mshindo to be an entrepreneur, he lead him to the waters of African culture, which Mshindo drank freely from. He stressed the need for self knowledge, self education and the truth of the Africans place in the world historic view. Returning to the states in 1985 Mshindo continued to vend and grow a reputation for being a “true artist.”

He began to attract clients like The Salvation Army, The NYC Fire and Police Dept., McDonalds, and V.I.M. store chain. Celebrities and educators were also a part of this long list such as; Bobby Brown, Vertical Hold (including Angie Stone), Arrow, Mathew St. Patrick, John Henrik Clarke, Leonard Jefferies, Queen Afua and Baba Heru.

Mshindo’s talents were also noticed by comic companies like: A & B, Ania, Brainstorm, Continuity, Defiant, Valiant, Broadway, Crusade, Kevlar, Amara and DC comics.  Currently, Mshindo is honing his digital skills to complete yet another learning cycle in his over 20-year experience. He is working on self publishing and reproductions of his astonishing work. Visit www.mshindoiart.com to see more work from this bright star of the artistic universe.

Because comic books are a visual medium, the comic book artist generally has an advantage as an unpublished talent. The old days of sending in unsolicited pitches to big comic book companies in the hopes of getting hired are dead and gone. If you are an unpublished writer with dreams of making it in the comic book industry and you don’t know how or where to begin, this is the panel for you. Join writer Brandon M. Easton (Dreamwave’s ARKANIUM, Arcana Studios’ SHADOWLAW) as he gives you the truth on how to break in. This panel is set up for BEGINNER LEVEL writers only and attendees should be prepared to take detailed notes as Brandon will give them a real world plan to achieve their dreams

Brandon M. Easton is a professional writer, screenwriter, and educator based in New York City. Born and raised in Baltimore, MD, Easton is a graduate of Ithaca College and Boston University’s prestigious Screenwriting program. Brandon has well over 10 years of writing experience. He has penned articles for the Boston Herald, Crashpad Magazine, and a variety of other publications. His past work has included the original comic book series ARKANIUM for Dreamwave Productions, and Transformers: Armada, which was distributed on Free Comic Book Day across North America. He is currently working on a novelized version of SHAWDOWLAW as well as other high-concept screenplays.

Check out his websites — www.shadowlawonline.com and www.foolscrusade.blogspot.com. 

Also, you can listen to the companion podcast show called WRITING FOR ROOKIES at http://writingforrookies.podcastpeople.com/.

DIGITAL WORLD DOMINATION

Gergory Walker will present the latest ways to get paid, distribute and protect your artistry using digital technology. There will be heavy emphasis on using new media to level the playing field for small independent producers and publishers. And new information about international markets via the internet.

Gregory L. Walker, CEO of Seker Nefer Productions, is a Chicago-based journalist, poet, historian and author. He is the author of Shades Of Memnon, a novel series about the activities of the ancient Kushites of Africa.